| Tornado outbreak March 21–22, 1952 | |
| Duration: | March 21–22, 1952 |
| Tornadoes: | 21 |
| Fujitascale: | F4 |
| Year: | 1952 |
| Damages: | $13,151,000 ($ in USD) |
| Fatalities: | 209+ |
| Injuries: | ≥ 1,304 |
| Affected: | Southern United States (primarily the Mississippi Alluvial Plain), especially Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri |
On March 21–22, 1952, a severe tornado outbreak generated eight violent tornadoes across the Southern United States, causing 209 fatalities—50 of which occurred in a single tornado in Arkansas. In addition, this tornado outbreak is the second deadliest on record to ever affect the state of Tennessee, with 66 of the fatalities associated with this outbreak occurring in the state; this is only surpassed by the 90 fatalities from a tornado outbreak in 1909, and in terms of fatalities is well ahead of both the 1974 Super Outbreak and the Super Tuesday tornado outbreak, each of which generated 45 and 31 fatalities, respectively. The severe weather event also resulted in the fourth-largest number of tornado fatalities within a 24-hour period since 1950.[1] To date this was considered the most destructive tornado outbreak in Arkansas on record.
A large low pressure system raced across the Northern Pacific before reaching the coast of the Southern Alaska Panhandle on March 17. A new low formed from the original one and moved quickly southeastward through Canada and the Great Plains before turning eastward over Northern Oklahoma during the afternoon of March 19. It subsequently moved into Southwestern Missouri near Joplin and shot northeastward as another low that had formed in Nevada on March 19 surged into the region on March 21 and made a gradual northeastward turn through North Texas, Southeastern Oklahoma, and Northwestern Arkansas before turning northward on March 22 after it entered Illinois. Favorable conditions in the atmosphere led to a massive area of strong and severe thunderstorms that produced damaging winds, large hail, heavy rain, flooding, lightning, and tornadoes.
| Date | Total | F-scale rating | Deaths | Injuries | Damage | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | ||||||
| March 21 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 202+ | ≥ 1,225 | ||
| March 22 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 79 | ||
| Total | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 209+ | ≥ 1,304 | ||
Prior to 1990, there is a likely undercount of tornadoes, particularly E/F0–1, with reports of weaker tornadoes becoming more common as population increased. A sharp increase in the annual average E/F0–1 count by approximately 200 tornadoes was noted upon the implementation of NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in 1990–1991. 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado (E/F2+) counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation of Fujita scale assessments. Numerous discrepancies on the details of tornadoes in this outbreak exist between sources. The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The list below documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.
| Color / symbol | Description |
|---|---|
| † | Data from Grazulis 1984/1990/1993/2001b |
| ¶ | Data from a local National Weather Service office |
| ※ | Data from the 1952 Climatological Data publications |
| ‡ | Data from the NCEI database |
| ♯ | Maximum width of tornado |
| ± | Tornado was rated below F2 intensity by Grazulis but a specific rating is unavailable. |
| Location | County / Parish | State | Start | Date | Time (UTC) | Path length | Width | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F4 | N of Provo to northwestern Dierks to WSW of Newhope† | Howard | Arkansas | 21:00–21:15※ | 13abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 800abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | ※ | ||
| 7 deaths – This violent tornado, the first member of a long-lived tornado family, destroyed 22 homes on the outskirts of Dierks, most of which were frail, and killed livestock and poultry. Many homes southwest of town were flattened, sustaining F4 damage, and trees were stripped of their bark. Nine people were injured. | |||||||||
| F2† | In and near Paron※ | Saline※ | Arkansas | 22:00–22:15※ | 15abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | 400abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | ※ | ||
| This tornado originated in the same supercell as the Dierks event. Near Paron, it destroyed one home and unroofed several others. Barns and a church were wrecked as well. A number of livestock died or sustained injuries. The NCEI list the path as extending east-northeastward, from southwest of Paron to east of Ferndale, but available descriptions indicate that the tornado headed northeastward, striking Paron. | |||||||||
| F2 | W of Mayflower to S of Saltillo† | Faulkner | Arkansas | 22:30–?† | 8abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | ※ | |||
| A strong tornado wrecked many small homes near Mayflower and destroyed or damaged six other homes near Saltillo. A few people were injured. | |||||||||
| F4 | SSW of Searcy to Judsonia※ to western Russell† | White | Arkansas | 22:50–?‡ | 22abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | 2640abbr=onNaNabbr=on♯※ | ※ | ||
| 50+ deaths – This large, intense tornado was NaNabbr=onNaNabbr=on wide at times. After impacting northwestern Kensett, it passed through the business district of Judsonia and damaged or destroyed 945 structures in town. In all, at least 30 deaths were confirmed in Judsonia alone, and the town itself was virtually destroyed. 20 more deaths occurred between Bald Knob and Russell. Damage also occurred near Midway, and 500lb concrete blocks were tossed 80yd. 325 injuries occurred along the path. The tornado became the fourth deadliest in the U.S. state of Arkansas on record.[2] | |||||||||
| F4† | SW of England to northwestern Cotton Plant† to Hillemann※ | Lonoke, Prairie, Woodruff | Arkansas | 23:00–? | 70abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | 800abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | † | ||
| 40+ deaths – This violent, long-tracked tornado first wrecked 40 homes on the northwestern outskirts of England, the majority of which were poorly built, killing nine people. South of Hazen, near Tollville, the tornado destroyed 42 more homes and claimed a few additional lives in the vicinity. The tornado then ravaged the northwestern part of Cotton Plant, where 29 people lost their lives. The tornado also caused extensive damage in Hillemann before apparently dissipating. Between the latter community and Cotton Plant the tornado destroyed 214 homes and injured 180 people. In all the tornado injured 274 people and was the sixth deadliest in Arkansas on record. Some additional deaths may have occurred in rural areas, and the tornado may have continued as far as Vanndale, just north of Wynne.[3] [4] [5] | |||||||||
| F4† | SW of Wattensaw to Georgetown to NE of Hickory Ridge† | Lonoke, Prairie, White†, Woodruff, Jackson†, Cross※ | Arkansas | 23:17–?※ | 65abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | 600abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | † | ||
| 8 deaths – This tornado, closely paralleling the preceding event, killed two people and injured six others as it struck the rural community of Wattensaw. Afterward, it successively impacted and devastated all or part of Hickory Plains, Georgetown, McCrory, and Hickory Ridge. In this swath many brick homes were flattened, along with those of lesser construction. Two of the eight fatalities, along with 15 injuries, occurred at Hickory Plains and four more at Hickory Ridge. The villages of McCrory and Georgetown were virtually leveled, and 116 homes were destroyed or damaged at Hickory Ridge. In all, 50 people were injured.[6] | |||||||||
| F3† | Bruceville to E of RoEllen† to Churchton※ | Lauderdale†, Dyer, Gibson† | Tennessee | 23:35–?※ | 20abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | |||
| 1+ death – This intense tornado passed through or near Bruceville, Bonicord, Tatumville, Edgewood, and Lapata. In all 17 homes were wrecked, and 20 injuries occurred. Grazulis assessed this tornado as an F4 in 1984, but reduced its ranking nine years later. Other estimates of the death toll range from two to four. | |||||||||
| F2† | SE of Blackville to E of Balch† to near Lake City | Jackson, Poinsett†, Craighead※ | Arkansas | 23:40–? | 40abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | 440abbr=onNaNabbr=on‡ | ※ | ||
| This tornado, which generated only sporadic damage, formed from the same storm as the Judsonia–Bald Knob F4. It damaged or destroyed 15 homes in Jackson County, many of which were small. Intermittent damage began near Weldon and occurred as far as Cash. In all, six people sustained injuries.[7] | |||||||||
| F3 | Fisher† to N of Harrisburg to NE of Blytheville※ | Poinsett, Craighead†, Mississippi※ | Arkansas | ~00:45–01:45※ | 70abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | 600abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | † | ||
| 4 deaths – This intense tornado family destroyed or damaged at least 45 structures between Fisher and Trumann. Between Milligan Ridge and Blytheville, the tornado destroyed or damaged 300 homes. In all, the tornado, which also affected areas in and near Caraway, destroyed or damaged about 650 homes. At least 57 injuries were reported along the path.[8] | |||||||||
| F2† | SW of Marked Tree※ to ENE of Lepanto | Poinsett※ | Arkansas | 01:45–01:50※ | 10abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | |||
| 1 death – This strong tornado developed in the same storm as the England–Cotton Plant F4. It destroyed or damaged 23 homes, one or more of which were small. It also just barely missed the town of Alto. Seven injuries occurred. | |||||||||
| F4 | Near Yarbro (AR) to near Cooter (MO) to between Elbridge (TN) and Ridgely (TN)† | Mississippi (AR)†, Pemiscot (MO), Dyer (TN)†, Lake (TN)†, Obion (TN)† | Arkansas†, Missouri, Tennessee† | 02:00–? | 30abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | 2500abbr=onNaNabbr=on♯※ | † | ||
| 25+ deaths – This large, violent tornado, attended by hail, was up to 2500yd wide at times and damaged or destroyed up to 200 homes, many of which were small, frail tenant homes, along with many farmsteads. After passing just north of Cottonwood Point, Missouri, the tornado then traversed the Mississippi River into Tennessee, and passed just south of Owl Hoot. A vehicle was reportedly thrown 1miles. In all, 150 people were injured. The tornado formed from the same storm as the Fisher–Blythevile F3.[9] | |||||||||
| F3 | SW of Unionville to eastern Dyersburg to NW of Kenton† | Dyer, Gibson†, Obion† | Tennessee | 02:10†–? | 30abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | ||||
| 9+ deaths – This intense tornado first destroyed more than 12 homes and caused two deaths in the community of Unionville. After barely missing the town of Fowlkes, the tornado ravaged part of Dyersburg. At the Airport, the tornado destroyed a hangar, numerous airplanes, and a new administration building. Along the path, the tornado destroyed 15 farmsteads. 50 people were injured, and a tenth death may have occurred. | |||||||||
| F0 | Madison | Madison | Mississippi | 02:30–? | 1abbr=onNaNabbr=on※ | 20abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ※ | ||
| A brief tornado was observed. One person was injured. | |||||||||
| F4 | SW of Byhalia (MS) to Cayce (MS)※ to SSE of Williston (TN)† | Marshall (MS), Fayette (TN) | Mississippi, Tennessee | 03:45–?※ | 35abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | † | ||
| 17 deaths – This extremely violent tornado may have been a family of multiple tornadoes, as it may have merged with a second, undocumented tornado upon touching down. Along its path, it destroyed 38 homes, causing particularly severe damage near Byhalia and Moscow, Tennessee. It was once classified as an F5, based on the destruction of a concrete block structure; however, as the building was not steel-reinforced, the Storm Prediction Center later reduced the intensity to F4. In all, 94 people were injured.[10] | |||||||||
| F2† | SW of Medina to Bruceton† to NNW of Lipe‡ | Madison†, Gibson, Carroll, Benton‡ | Tennessee | 04:30†–05:17※ | 40abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | 400abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | † | ||
| 2+ deaths – This strong, long-lived tornado passed through the Milan Arsenal, southeast of Milan, destroying or damaging 30 buildings, including barracks, and 65 vehicles. Losses at the arsenal totaled $500,000 and three injuries occurred there. After passing near Lavinia, the tornado then destroyed 12 homes near Leach. The tornado then wrecked three homes and demolished the business district in Bruceton. In all, 23 people sustained injuries. A few additional fatalities may have occurred.[11] | |||||||||
| F4 | SW of Bolivar to northern Henderson† to Chesterfield※ to near Bible Hill† | Hardeman, Chester, Henderson※, Decatur† | Tennessee | 04:45†–05:30※ | 65abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | 1200abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | ※ | ||
| 38 deaths – This devastating tornado, which developed in the same storm as the Byhalia–Moscow F4, damaged or destroyed 609 homes. The tornado impacted Henderson, a large swath of which incurred borderline-F5 damage, killing 23 people there, and claimed 11 more lives between Darden and Jacks Creek. The tornado may have been the same as the F4 that struck both Mississippi and Tennessee. 157 people were injured along the path. The tornado may have been an extension of the Byhalia–Moscow F4. The areas between Silerton and south-southwest of Lexington would be hit again by an F2 tornado just under one year later.[12] | |||||||||
| F2† | Downtown† Carthage※ | Smith | Tennessee | 05:15†–? | 0.3abbr=onNaNabbr=on‡ | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on※ | ※ | ||
| This brief tornado unroofed and destroyed a large building. A few other structures incurred damage nearby and one person was injured. | |||||||||
| F2 | SW of Buffalo※ | Humphreys | Tennessee | 05:55–? | 1abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | 500abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ※ | ||
| This brief, strong tornado formed from the same storm as the Bolivar–Henderson F4. It destroyed several barns, damaged outbuildings, and unroofed three homes on farmsteads in and near Squeeze Bottom. | |||||||||
| F3 | Southern Hodgenville※ | LaRue | Kentucky | 06:05–06:10※ | 3abbr=onNaNabbr=on※ | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | |||
| This intense tornado passed near the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. It damaged or destroyed 61 homes, nine of which were cottages, and the county fairgrounds. The tornado also unroofed a warehouse and flattened several barns. A total of 18 injuries occurred. The NCEI incorrectly list the path as extending from northwest of Buffalo to east-southeast of White City. | |||||||||
| F2± | SSE of Spot | Hickman | Tennessee | 06:20–? | 0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on‡ | 40abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ※ | ||
| 3 deaths – In a rural area this tornado damaged or destroyed nine homes and injured 10 people. Grazulis did not list this tornado at all, implying that it was a downburst, microburst, or other strong, convectively generated wind. The tornado passed east of the Bucksnort–Only area. | |||||||||
| F4 | Massey to Winton to southern Redstone Arsenal† | Morgan, Madison※ | Alabama | 20:45†–? | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on† | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ※ | ||
| 4 deaths – This violent tornado moved through areas near Hartselle and ended south of Decatur. It damaged or destroyed 84 structures, including 35 homes, many of which sustained F4 damage, though due to poor quality of construction the rating is somewhat questionable. 50 injuries were confirmed. The NCEI incorrectly places the track as going from northeast of Moulton Heights to south-southwest of Huntsville via Decatur and Mooresville. | |||||||||
The weather system associated with the outbreak also produced several inches of snow across the central and northern Great Plains and the upper Midwest. Blizzard conditions affected Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. A significant blizzard affected the Great Plains. In Kansas, 15abbr=onNaNabbr=on of snow were recorded. On March 22, Charles City, Iowa, documented 11.6inches, which was the town's greatest 24-hour snowfall record at the time. Minnesota reported 17inches, while Bergland, Michigan, reported 2abbr=onNaNabbr=on of snowfall. Heavy snow and strong winds disrupted highways and road traffic. Flash floods also affected Sumner and Clay counties, Tennessee.